My name is David Whiteside and I live in Marengo, Illinois. Retired from the Army in 1993 after 26 years all over the World.

I became a licensed CB operator at age 12 in Odessa, Tx with an FCC call sign of KQV 5228 and always wanted to be a ham operator but never had the money or time.

While in the Army I volunteered to operate the MARS stations on bases where I was assigned. Working with Boy Scouts / Explorers earning merit badges and qualifications. Many many years later at the Boy Scout Jamboree in 1993, I became a No-code Tech (KB9RGW) withsome of  my scouts for fun and started learning the hobby. I Joined RARA  Rockford and after a couple years became a board member and served for 4 years. In 1999 I stepped back for a break, but continued to stay in the club working city events and bike races.

My Sea Scouts wanted to do Satellite, moon bounce slow scann tv and APRS so the FT 847 with a 6-meter module, GT 5400 AZ rotor with stacked cross element Yagi's is the way we went. (SK) WB9MMM was our mentor. As the scouts left and went off to college I sold the Yagi's and left the hobby for a while.

Sea Scout Ship is SSS 888  /  Marengo, Illinois /  Blackhawk Area Council / Central Region Flotilla.

 Later in life about 15 years + I upgraded to a general and am working on extra now.

I have studied all aspects of the hobby and enjoy mostly learning from those who are more experienced. I work on my CW about 20 – 30 mins a day but struggle a lot but won't give up.

I now have an FT 847 with  2m 440 6m   new 2019 I upgraded to   / ICOM 9700 / 7300 / ICOM 703 w/ solar panels for QRP Ft 4100

2021 Just upgraded Radio to a Flex 6600M with the Q5 2M Inverter.

Tower 48 Ft

Antennas -  and 3 wire dipoles M2 Leo Pak Yagi and the 2m 440 eggbeaters for roaming.

I am a n scale Model Railroad builder.